MERBAG IS OFFICIAL MOBILITY PARTNER OF HRT

PRESS INFORMATION | 27 April, 2022 |

Haupt Racing Team has entered into a strategic collaboration with Swiss group Merbag. The Mercedes-Benz dealer has branches throughout Europe and, as official mobility partner, will now support the successful GT3 motorsport team from Meuspath with various Mercedes-Benz team cars. Furthermore, additional joint projects and corporate events are also planned, including the building of a customer service centre at the new HRT site at the Nürburgring.

  • Merbag and HRT launch extensive strategic partnership
  • Team cars with Merbag branding at all HRT race events
  • One Mercedes-AMG GT3 to sport full Merbag livery in the NLS

Mobility is an important success factor for Haupt Racing Team, as it lines up in races throughout Europe and beyond. For this reason, Hubert Haupt’s GT3 team has turned to Merbag as a professional mobility partner. Merbag is the largest Mercedes-Benz dealer in Switzerland and one of the leading representatives of the Stuttgart-based manufacturer in Europe. As official mobility partner, Merbag will provide Haupt Racing Team with cars from the wide range of Mercedes-Benz products, to be used as team cars. In return, HRT will bring the name Merbag to the racetrack: The Merbag logo will be prominently displayed on the A-pillars on both sides of all the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in action for HRT. Furthermore, plans are afoot for one Mercedes-AMG GT3 to sport a full Merbag livery at races in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) from June 2022.

The collaboration between Merbag and HRT also includes support at corporate events. For example, at European races – including at the Nürburgring, HRT’s home circuit – the team will offer driving training courses and passenger experiences, and organise exclusive VIP events, product presentations and similar motorsport-related events. Another partnership project between Merbag and HRT is the building of a joint customer service centre at the Nürburgring. The new centre will cover a wide range of services for car enthusiasts, including driving events for Merbag customers. The centre will be located at the industrial park at the Nürburgring, where the new HRT Race Base is also currently being built.

Thomas Kast, CEO of Car Dealership at Merbag Group:
“The partnership means an awful lot to us. HRT won the drivers title in the DTM at the first attempt last year, and successfully represents the Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Benz brands. We are pleased to be able to contribute to that success. At Merbag, we want to continue to grow and become even better known in Europe. HRT is an ideal partner in this regard. I value the team for its performance at the racetrack and as a professionally run motorsport company with entrepreneurial vision.” 

Ulrich Fritz, Managing Director of Haupt Racing Team:
“With the DTM, GT World Challenge Europe, NLS and the 24-hour highlights at the Nürburgring and in Spa, we are in action at a different racetrack nearly every weekend throughout the season. As such, it is important to have a strong mobility partner on your side. As one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Europe, Merbag is a fantastic support for our team. Our joint plans are long-term and go beyond the pure racing. We are looking forward to working together!”

About Merbag
Merbag stands for "Mercedes-Benz Automobil AG" and is the umbrella brand of Swiss company Merbag Holding AG, whose roots in Zürich stretch back as far as 1912. Nowadays, the group is active throughout Europe with 21 independent companies in the automotive and real estate industry. The core business is the automobile trade. As an authorised distribution and service partner for the brands Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-EQ, smart and Fuso, the company specialises in the sale and aftersales care of new and used cars. In Europe, Merbag is one of the leading Mercedes-Benz representatives, with 27 sites in Switzerland, five in Italy, five in Luxembourg, six in Austria, and seven in Germany. Roughly 3,000 dedicated employees use their expertise and experience to ensure customers are always satisfied. merbag.com

About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. Formed in July 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt, the team enjoys success in GT3 racing. Among other things, HRT secured the 2021 DTM drivers' championship in just its second motorsport season. HRT lines up with extended works support from Mercedes-AMG in many of the team's outings. The outings and cars are prepared in Meuspath, not far from the Nürburgring. HRT is also involved in professional sim racing and is a sought-after partner for motorsport events of all sorts. HRT can call on a host of experts with a wealth of motorsport and engineering experience, which the diverse motorsport company leverages when implementing technical development projects for and with its partners. The headquarters of Haupt Racing Team GmbH is Grünwald near Munich. The team owner is racing driver and businessman Hubert Haupt. As well as motorsport, Haupt is primarily known as a successful property developer. With his real estate company, he implements high-quality living and building concepts in southern Germany – from innovative buildings to complete districts.